Fifty couples in a group wedding pose for a group photo.— VNS Photos Ngọc Diệp

HCM CITY A group wedding ceremony was organised for 50 couples with disabilities at Giác Ngộ Pagoda in HCM City’s District 10 on Friday.

This is the second annual event held by the pagoda’s Đạo Phật Ngày Nay (Buddhism Today) Fund, with total cost of nearly VNĐ1 billion (US$43,100).

Speaking at the ceremony, the head monk of the pagoda, venerable Thích Nhật Từ, said most of the couples have impaired mobility or are visually or hearing impaired.

He said that the pagoda expected to organise two events in coming years to help more needy people.

Happy moments of a couple on their special day.

Each couple received a wedding package worth VNĐ18 million ($775), including two wedding rings, two wedding áo dài outfits (Vietnamese traditional dress) for bride and groom, a wedding table of vegetarian food, wedding photos, marriage certificates, flowers, make-up, and hairdressing, among other services.

Nguyễn Kim Duyên, 31, and her husband Nguyễn Hợp Vinh, 40, a couple from Bình Phước Province, said they lived together in the same house for about four years.

“We do not have enough money to organise a wedding ceremony like many others,” Duyên said.

Vinh said: “I would like to say thanks to organisers and donors that have made our dreams come truth."

Couples ride on xích lô (cyclos) along HCM City streets.

The couples were also offered a ride on cyclos that began at Hòa Bình (Peace) Park in District 10 and ended at Bến Thành Market in District 1.

Last year, the event was recognised as the largest-ever group wedding for people with disabilities at a pagoda in Việt Nam by the Việt Nam Record Organisation (VietKings). VNS